12 N Main St #101,
(860) 236-4249
Invisalign® Clear Braces – West Hartford, CT
Straighter Teeth without the Metal
Did you not have braces as a child, and now you really want to straighten your crooked teeth? Or, have your teeth shifted over the years despite going through braces when you were younger? In either case, Invisalign can help! This orthodontic system is proven effective and has a subtle appearance your friends and coworkers will never notice, ensuring you’re able to smile with complete confidence throughout treatment. If you want straighter and aligned teeth without being noticed, the ongoing orthodontic treatment, give us a call today for Invisalign in West Hartford.
Why Choose West Hartford Dental Group for Invisalign® Clear Braces?
- Specially-Made for Every Patient
- No Diet Restrictions
- Often Able to Work Faster than Traditional Braces
How Does Invisalign Work?
Traditional orthodontics relies on bulky metal brackets and wires to move the teeth, and that’s where Invisalign distinguishes itself the most. Instead, a progressive series of clear plastic aligner trays place slight pressure on the teeth to guide them into the proper positions. A patient wears one set of aligners for about 20-22 hours a day for two weeks before moving onto the next. After someone has gone through their entire series, they will see a perfectly straight smile in the mirror.
Benefits of Invisalign
To date, more than 17 million patients have chosen Invisalign over traditional braces. If you are considering doing the same, then take the next step: schedule a consultation at our West Hartford dental office! That way, we can determine if you’re a good candidate after reviewing your dental history, needs, and goals. In the meantime, you can read on to learn a few of the many benefits that come with clear aligners, starting with the fact that they are basically invisible.
Basically Invisible Braces
Of course, one of the best-known benefits of Invisalign is that the aligners are designed to virtually disappear when worn. As a result, they won’t affect your everyday appearance. In fact, the only people who will know you’re using them will be you and your dentist! The key to keeping them clear is proper care, so make sure to rinse them often and clean them consistently.
No Irritating Brackets or Wires
With Invisalign, there aren’t metal brackets and wires. Instead, each aligner is designed using a 3D scan of a patient’s teeth to ensure the perfect fit. And, because they are made of smooth plastic, patients don’t have to deal with mouth sores or soft tissue irritation. Instead, they can enjoy a considerably more comfortable journey to their dream smiles!
Ultimate Convenience
Time to brush your teeth? This can be quite the hassle with metal braces, which is why patients often buy interproximal toothbrushes and other special dental care products. With Invisalign, that’s not necessary. After all, you can just pop your trays off, store them in their designated case, and complete your dental care regimen as usual!
Freedom to Eat Your Favorite Foods
In an effort to prevent orthodontic emergencies, like broken brackets, patients with traditional braces are expected to avoid certain foods, like whole apples. Since clear aligners can be removed, Invisalign doesn’t come with the same dietary restrictions. Just make sure to take them off before eating or drinking anything other than water to prevent them from staining, warping, or breaking.
Shorter Average Treatment Timeline
There are several factors that influence the length of your teeth-straightening journey, including the complexity of your case. That said, Invisalign usually delivers results faster; the average treatment timeline is only 12-18 months. If you are considering this smile-enhancing service for yourself and you’re interested in getting an estimate, schedule a consultation with us!
Less Time in the Treatment Chair
Another considerable perk: you’ll spend less time in the treatment chair overall. That’s because there aren’t monthly adjustment appointments. Instead, your progress visits will be every 6-8 weeks, and, if you’re on track with your treatment plan, there’s a good chance you’ll be in and out of our office in less than 30 minutes!
Is Invisalign Right for You?
Typically, Invisalign is only recommended for adults and older teens because it does require some self-discipline to consistently wear the trays and younger smiles need more time to grow. If you’re interested in getting this treatment, be sure to schedule an appointment so we can give you a quick exam. If it turns out that you’re a good candidate for Invisalign (which most people are), we’ll quickly take an impression of your teeth so your trays can be made right away. To get started on your journey towards a straighter, more attractive smile, give us a call today!
Crowded Teeth
Crowding makes it harder to brush and floss properly since it creates more hard-to-reach spaces in your smile, which can lead to oral health issues like cavities, gum disease, jaw discomfort, and trouble eating, and it can get worse with age due to dental drift. Invisalign can realign teeth so they sit more evenly beside one another, which can make oral hygiene much easier and your smile more visually pleasing.
Gaps Between Teeth
Large spaces between teeth can be the result of one’s oral anatomy or habits like thumb-sucking and tongue-thrusting in childhood, and they can leave the gums more vulnerable to injury and make it easier to accumulate plaque and food debris on your smile. Addressing this issue with Invisalign can reduce your risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and oral injuries. However, we may be able to address mild gaps with dental bonding.
Overbite
An overbite, also called an overjet, happens when the top teeth are positioned too far ahead of the bottom ones, and it can lead to issues like jaw pain, speech difficulties, uneven dental wear, and trouble moving the mouth. It can also leave the top teeth more vulnerable to injury since they will be more exposed.
Underbite
An underbite occurs when the bottom teeth are positioned before the top ones when the mouth is closed, and it can be the result of genetics, oral injuries, tumors, and childhood habits like thumb-sucking. This issue can lead to issues like sleep apnea, mouth breathing, and trouble speaking and chewing. It’s easier to address underbites in younger patients, but the issue is still important to treat for adults. Treating an underbite with Invisalign usually requires the use of rubber bands to help pull the teeth into proper alignment.
Crossbite
A crossbite is when the lower teeth are positioned slightly in front of the upper ones and usually happens due to genetics, poor dental habits, or premature loss of baby teeth. While Invisalign may be able to address this issue, doing so often requires the use of elastics or other appliances to help shift the jaw into a healthier position. An unaddressed crossbite can lead to long-term health issues like tooth decay, gum disease, jaw pain, speech problems, headaches, teeth grinding, and facial asymmetry, which can lead to reduced confidence.
Open Bite
An open bite means the top and bottom teeth do not overlap or touch when the mouth is closed, and it often results from poor bone development or non-nutritive habits during childhood such as prolonged thumb and pacifier-sucking. In many cases, an open bite can make it difficult to pronounce certain words and lead to excessive enamel wear on the back teeth, which increases their risk of injury. Invisalign can realign the teeth so they fit together properly, which can reduce their risk of oral injuries and unnecessary wear and tear.